[YoungKentuckyConservative]

It sure will affect my vote. I won't completely dismiss my support for Bush, but I have to say that if I went to the polls right now I wouldn't be too sure as to what I get, domestically, from Bush that I wouldn't get from a lunatic on the left.

Bush has alienated his core constituents in the public for the benefit of his "corporate" backers. I just see vastly more critical elements associated with his plan than benefits.

Comments and discussion are certainly welcome and encouraged.

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[tiamat]

I agree it's an important issue, but I think the War is MORE important. The Islamist Fanatics are an immediate threat and what we do with them now affects generations not just for us, but for the planet.

Unless he screws that up, Dubya has my support.

Tia

[zarf]

Yes, I'm pissed and now I'm voting for Gus Hall.

[futureceo31]

Well.. As President Bush said, the congress has to write the legislation for this plan. Enough conservative voters contact their congresspeople and get their voices known will make this legislation closer to the ideas of most conservatives than the liberals. The fact of the matter is that Bush is trying to do something about this huge problem which no one else has touched for a long time.
So I think (not you as you seem to be very rational) but most of the others who are having knee-jerk reactions to get involved in the political process and let your views/displeasures know...:)

[marty60]

Absolutely not. He is actually doing something about the illegals. I would much rather see them all fingerprinted and id'd,paying taxes and therefore the terrorists don't have a pipeline into the country. Everything else is blocked, everyone has complained about the porous borders. The hysteria over nafta has proven wrong, but some people would rather complain then actually solve a problem.

[noexcuses]

It won't affect my vote because, although the plan isn't perfect, at least it opens up national dialogue about the immigration problem. Congress still has to pass laws to carry out President Bush's proposal with a very public debate.

I don't know what a perfect plan looks like, or if a perfect plan is closing all borders, and deporting all illegal immigrants, if there is a practical way to do that.

Direct your anger to this plan to your congressman and senators. You have a chance to influence your representatives before they start debating new immigration laws.

[zeugma]

I refuse to support Bush's push to a bigger socialist state. The medicare givaway should be a deal-breaker for anyone who supports smaller government.

[Howie66]

I've run the gauntlet of emotions over this immigration issue. That being said, I'll go with my intellect as opposed to my emotions and vote for "W" again.

In the end, I just could not justify voting for a RAT under any circumstance.

[rhombus]

I was hassling a liberal talk radio host in Albany NY last night (the internet is great as I'm miles away from Albany and I used Instant Messenger to talk with the guy). No way did I defend the Bush Immigration plan but I pressed him amidst his Bush Bashing to provide a Democratic alternative. He at first blew me off saying that since they can't get anything passed it wasn't worth discussing alternatives - just what was wrong with the Bush proposal. Well I shamed him by saying that the Dems are exerting no leadership on the issue and therefore aren't giving anyone any reason to vote for them. Well then of course he got nasty - read some of my instant messages on the air, inserted words and namecalling that I didn't make (typical). However, after a few other callers pressed him he finally said we needed more border security (not armed troops but guys with dogs and flashlights) and more enforcement. I really enjoyed myself as this liberal was sounding like a Conservative Republican in his Bush-bashing. Hmmm, if the liberals talk about enforcement and the Republican Conservatives talk enforcement just maybe a compromise might go our way (I can hope can't I?). Sounds like Bush is setting the agenda for Iowa/NH debates. What are the Dem candidate positions?

[Dog Gone]

This is so far from becoming law, if it ever does, that it's silly to discuss withholding a vote for Bush. And what would the consequences be of letting Howard Dean win? Would that be preferable?

W-2004.

[CatoRenasci]

As someone else said, the WAR is far more important than this issue, even though I disagree with Bush.

To be fair to the president, this is not a situation that admits of easy answers. I know, what I'd like to see is every illegal alien given 90 days to register or leave the country. Those who registered would be repatriated in an orderly way so that they could settle their affairs, take care of their assets, and if they had American citizen children, be considered for some sort of guest worker program that would allow them to work here. Those who didn't register, when caught would be summarily deported, their property would escheat, and the would be permanently barred entry. If they had American citizen children, the children could stay, not the adults. And of course any new illegals would get the immediate deportation, forfeiture of assets treatment. I would also change the law and henceforth bar children born here to illegal aliens from citizenship, permanently.

But, I'm realistic enough to know that would never pass. So, as bad as Bush's proposals are, they're better than doing nothing, I think.

[deport]

Where is the proposal of a grant of amnesty at? Have you seen it? Has any legislation regarding Immigration reform been written or even undertaken by Congress as of this date? [Border Enforcement and Revolving Employment to Assist Laborers Act of 2003 by Tancredo] If you and this group want to impact the outcome forget about President Bush at this point and get on your Congressional representation. It is they that will cross the Ts and dot the Is...... Then the varioius departments will write the implementing regulations..... You and this group have gotten the wagon miles ahead of the horse at this stage.....

[angelbaby1111]

You know what? Bush won't care if he loses his base. He would love to win in 2004 but his priniciples and convictions come first. He is a Christian first and foremost and everything he does bears that in mind. He truly walks the walk unlike anyone I have ever seen. That's why some of his "compassionate Conservative" decisions anger so many on the left and right. For some reason, anything Christian makes those who are not nuts! I'm not preaching...just teaching. I have heard all kinds of reasons why he does what he does but his Christianity is the main reason. He would be just as happy back on his ranch in Texas. I'll tell you one thing though...when he dies and he's standing before God, he will have to explain very little. He truly is a Christ-like role model and I find him very refreshing.

[deport]

I went to the polls right now I wouldn't be too sure as to what I get, domestically, from Bush that I wouldn't get from a lunatic on the left.

---

I guess then the 168 or so Judges that have been confirmed to the Federal Judiciary would be the same or better had they been appointed by the Democrats? Yep you really make sense.......

[o_zarkman44]

Just when we find a politician we think we can trust, there are things revealed, and policy outlined that undermines the confidence in a leader.

Immigration is not a one issue voting situation. Illegal immigration affects National Security. Illegal immigration affects citizens ability to find jobs, taking jobs from American citizens. Illegal immigration inflates welfare rolls and the cost of indigent medical care, which calls for higher taxation of the American citizen. Illegal immigration, and the lack of enforcing the law of the land against such behavior has a negative effect on the ability of Law enforcement to enforce all laws. Because of mixed signals and little incentive to make arrests, an unsympathetic court nullifys the law in the name of newly discovered rights of the illegal immigrant. So illegal immigration becomes a Constitutional issue as well.

No Mr President. Illegal immigration is not a one issue voter situation. Illegal immigration is an all inclusive threat to the basis of the American Dream.

[Sunsong]

I'm not a one issue voter. I'm smart enough to look at the whole picture and make my selection for President based on who is best for the country, and who best represents my views. I don't demand perfection, but I do draw the line at dishonesty and lack of character as Bill Clinton and Howard Dean embody.

[justshutupandtakeit]

There is no "amnesty" involved.

[gatorbait]

I think the President's proposal,and that isALLit is ,is a gutsy move that will force the professionally compassionate to actually say what they want. This is being put forth to Congress to act upon, debate, fashion and form. There's too much knee jerk hysteria on our part,and it needs to stop.Leave that for the jackass party ,they're better whiners. The President is well known for his disregard for the safe and equivicating path. This is a hot button issue and he is FORCING the first real debate since the 1965 Chamizal deal between the US and Mexico.That deal was the harbinger ,along with the Great Society, of our present illegal problem. I do not support a blanket amnesty and this proposal is not that ,either.It is a pragmatic approach to a problem tha thas been swept aside far too long, sort of like and ignored tumor. Bottom line, George W Bush gets my vote this November.His guts and his severely underestimated intellignce are winners in my book.

[D Rider]

No, It is a great political gambit. Hits the left hard. Can help us identify illegals, has the potential of making it easier to deport the bad illegals. If played right, this could enhance of security by more than damaging the DemonRats. The downside, is that if this becomes US policy, and then somehow the DemonRats regain control. Then again, could it be worse than giving away our missile and nuclear secrets to China?

[KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle]

Will President Bush's proposal to grant amnesty to millions of illegal aliens affect your vote in the 2004 presidential election?

NO, because unlike the phony sunshine "conservatives" on this board -- i.e., the ones blubbering and bellyaching noisily that anti-abortion, anti-terrorist appeasement, anti-gay marriage, pro-tax cut, pro-religion, pro-business Bush "isn't conservative enough" for them -- I actually support conservatism and the Republican Party, and realize that the latter is the only viable electoral vehicle for the continuing advancement of the former in this country.

UNthe phony sunshine "conservatives," in other words: I am not mentally retarded. :)